Crystal River current., 1887-03-12
AMuscular Preacher.

"A NAUUGu1hE Z 10nC4O&s
From the Altoona Tribune.
The late Rev. Cambridge Graham
was noted not only for the excellency
of his Christian character, kindness
of heart and forbearance ofspirit, but
for his great physical strength. This
latter characteristic was never brought
out in his ministry except when no
other remedy was left him in dealing
with disturbers OF religious. meetings
which he was conducting. It IS moth
ing to the disparagement OF his men,
ory, either as a true Christian gentle-
man or a minister, that the anecdotes
told OF his physical powers should now
appear in print.
In his early ministry he was sen! sent
to Hancock circuit, in the balti-
more conference. There was ut one
OF his appointments a family (father
and sons) who were noted as bu!lies,
as disturbers of Methodist meetings.
While Mr.. Graham was holding meet
ing on one occasion there, two of the
mans sons began their usual series OF
interruption. No rebuke had any ef-
feet upon them and finally the preach
er elected them from the house. They
went home and told their father OF
the treatment they had received at
the hands OF the new Methodist preach
er. The old man was terribly indig-
nant at MIR. Graham and vowed to
chastise him the next morning. Bright
and early, gun in hand he appeared
at the farm house where the preacher
was stopping. Mr.. Graham was out
on the proch performing his morning
ablution (the man of the house being
over in an adjoining field), when he
was saIuted by the irate father:
You are the new Methodist preach
err"
ayes, SIR" replied Mr.. Graham.
He then narrated what he had done
to his sons the previous evening,
winding up with the federation that
she had come over to whip him."
"Whip me-" said the preacher, in q
tone OF surprise.
"Well," said the preacher, "wait
until get through washing"
In the meantime the old man had
set down his gun, and prepared for
the struggle. Mr.. Graham approach
ed him in the kindliest manner, re-
peating, "Oh. youdon't want to whip
me-" and with manner that prac-
tically disarmed his antagonist. Draw
ing close up to him he placed his hand
on each OF the old gents arms. 1t
was like the grip of wise.
$50 you want to whip me-" as his
grip tightened, and he began to sway
the old man back and forth. He was
like an infant in the preachers grasp
and writhed in mortal agony as the
grip frightened on his flesh and the
shaking became more vigorous to the
chorus: $50 you want to whip me!
Why, I'll shake you to shavings!"
The fight wes all taken out of the
man and he begged to be released,
promising for himself and sons that
there should be no further molesta-
tion OF Methodist meetings in that
neighborhood. The preacher accept
ed his promise and released him and
gave him some kind and good advice.
The old man, thoroughly crest-fallen
passed the man OF the house, who was
out in the field trembling for the safety
of the preacher, and saluted him with
the remark: II believe that preacher
would fight" There was peace at
that preaching place thereafter.
During his ministration on a Perry
county circuit he was annoyed by
oe'.J eoo {" oo'HP-hiCSlhIE WHICH, uc
was holding. The fellow, confident OF
his physical prowess, thought he could
run the meeting pretty much as he
wished, all unconscious that in the
preacher he had u foeman worthy ofhis
steel. He persisted in crowding him
self Extensively into the altar among
the moulners and worshipers. Mr..
Graham kindly demonstrated with
him until forbearance ceased to be
virtue. Then in the twinkling OF an
eye he seized the rowdy by the cuff of
the neck and the nethermost garment,
and the nex5 instant he was lifted in
the air and sent flying out over the
railing, a sadder if not wiser man-at
least he was when the court got
through with him. There was no dis.
turbing of any religious meeting after
that held by Mr.. Graham. One OK.
hibition OF his physical strength was
salutary lesson to all who made it
a practice to hinder and annoy other
people in their religious devotions.